Philips showcases value-priced ultrasound

Philips Healthcare showcased its new value-oriented HD15 ultrasound system at RSNA 2008. The latest addition to Philips' HD product line, commercially released in summer, is designed for use in small hospitals, clinics, and private practices. The system may be a primary ultrasound scanner for some users -- particularly those in emerging markets -- who do not need all the features of a high-end device, according to Philips. The HD15 supports general imaging, cardiac, vascular, and ob/gyn applications. The company migrated some high-end features to the low-cost unit. These include QLAB quantification software, XRES image processing, and PureWave transducer crystal technology.